The Iowa West Foundation seeks to foster belonging, financial stability, and opportunity by supporting housing for all, education with purpose, and recreation for wellbeing in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, and the southwest Iowa region.
Through thousands of ideas shared in community Imagine Hour listening sessions, four core outcomes emerged to form a picture of vibrant, successful communities.
View Outcomes
If you are a Council Bluffs resident, up to $200 grants are available to support events that build community and strengthen connections.
Apply
The Iowa West Foundation’s strategic visioning is centered by community listening and engagement. View our Imagine Hours Progress Report to learn more.
Imagine Hours Progress Report
Learn more about the major projects we’ve funded over the years, through videos, first-hand success stories, interactive links, and more.
Major Projects
Council Bluffs is home to 12 large -scale outdoor art pieces scattered throughout the city and available to the public 24/7. You can hear from the artists who created each piece by downloading the free Otocast app.
Artists & ArtworksFrom murals to main streets, fire stations to childcare centers—rural communities across Pottawattamie County are thriving thanks to local partnerships and the support of the Iowa West Foundation. This video celebrates the people, places, and projects shaping the future of small-town Iowa. Hear directly from residents, business owners, and local leaders as they share what […]
Watch Video
The Iowa West Foundation, Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce, and City of Council Bluffs—together with the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Center for Public Affairs Research—are conducting the Council Bluffs Area Survey to better understand what attracts people to live and work in our community and what supports long-term satisfaction and success. Why this matters: […]
View Post Funding supports events for residents + tourists alike; housing continues to be a focus The Iowa West Foundation (IWF) continues to inject funds into non-profit organizations that retain residents and attract visitors to Council Bluffs, while also adding to the housing stock to allow more people to call Pottawattamie County home. The Board of Directors […]
View Post
Every day, I meet people where they are, assess their needs, and connect them to the right resources. Whether it’s someone without housing, an elderly resident, or a family in crisis, I’m here to help them move forward.” –Chasity Kephart First Responder Community Health Coach An Untenable Situation Fire Chief Justin James knew something needed […]
View Post 
